WHAT DO YOU LOVE? Try answering this question…
I LOVE…
The quiet of the morning…and how he lets his night owl sleep in and the comfort in hearing him quietly shut the door behind him every morning. I love when I beat him to morning and the feeling of quietly shutting the door for him back.
I love how chipper Zeke is when the light comes on—and how sluggish she is…and when she says please rub my back and then asks the best question, “Why do I love you so much?”
I love the minutes in between waking the next set of children—and the morning noises my teenagers make when I say rise and shine.
I love the raindrop sounds of morning coffee and tearing off the silver for the seasonal flavor to make it even better.
I love the warmth of the sun on my face in the early morning—how the dogs stare intently at something nothing…and the risk of holding the cat I’m allergic to. It’s never not worth it. I love the sound of hammers in the distance and the muffled banter of construction workers knowing the repetition is another step closer to someone else’s dreams being built in that very moment.
I love old school phone call friends and new friends. And that moment raw authenticity is said and you know that person is gonna be part of your people. I love old friendships that are mostly there because loyalty and longevity that shows up but sees differently on so much and they teach you how to love different and we don’t always have to agree to love each other deeply. I love friendships that cried it out, worked it out, stuck together because you do see so much the same and your heart beats for the margins together and now you karaoke like sisters…wild sisters…knowing this depth is what we were really all made for. And don’t you dare post that.
I love small talk at checkout and when they play 80s music…and when a friend or one of my kids is with me to dare them to dance with me in the aisle…or pushing the cart by myself thinking how great it would be to have one of my favorites with me because you really just look crazy if you dance there alone😂. And more small talk like the time I told the cashier Chicago is just too depressing when you are in the cereal aisle and her absolutely agreeing.
I love the little things at home…the smell of clean laundry and my kindergartener’s stinky feet—and how I can love opposite things so much. I love hearing one of them say the dinner blessing and when the naughty dog puts his head on my lap and the reminder that every single thing has something sweet and good to be found.
I love the big things…the sound of the ball on the metal bat and his stoic face when he brings it home. And when that one tells me what he’s thinking. I love the chill at football game in the fall and a play so good the shameless cowbell in the air…and high fives when her son like my son made that play…and the unspoken togetherness our kids bonds bring. I love watching him dance in the grass and how he is always prepared to tell Alexa what’s next…and the sacredness of coming a little early…seeing her dance through the studio window knowing in weeks she’ll drive herself and that day of waiting passed…so watch longer and I love the bittersweet holy of motherhood lasts and that intentional lingering longer. I love how the smoke lingers in the air after the candles are blown out and how everyone knows who the first piece is for.
I love digging in the dirt and tending the soil and asking the Lord what should I do as I work it out and turn it over. And how every single time parables or scriptures come to mind and I know He is real and with me.
I love feeling spent one minute then hearing a story and knowing our work isn’t done…and how He gave us heart to feel…to really feel and want to be apart of something more…and knowing in our bones what He created us for. To keep showing up and asking how our hands can be used for His glory and healing and goodness.
I love how at night he listens with his glasses on…and how he takes them off because he is really listening and thinking and helping me be okay as I process everything isn’t always tied with a bow. I love show that take us away for a minute—and podcasts that make us think and learn a lot…and how we need to both laugh and getaway AND learn and grow.
I love what happens when we reflect on all that we love. And remembering how good this ride is. And how most of it is what it is because it’s done together with authenticity and vulnerability. And how it reminds us we aren’t alone…and there’s beauty and goodness and joy to be found in every moment when we stop to remember.❤️
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